Inspiring Women

An engineering center for all

UC Davis students now have expanded access to advanced engineering equipment, in a space all their own, largely because of a woman who looked beyond the career paths her parents laid out for her.

Alumna Deb Neff gives $8M to biological sciences

Life sciences industry expert Deborah Neff ’76 is giving $8 million to the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences for two endowments, one for the deanship and the other for the Center for Neuroscience for research into Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The gift is the largest by an individual in the college’s history.

Bringing cures to complex cases

In 2019 Gayle Brock brought her dog, Kitsune (Kit), to her local veterinarian in Nevada because the seven-year-old Shiba Inu had been acting lethargic. Brock knew something was wrong when Kit, who was typically very energetic, was too tired for her favorite activity: playing at the park.

A gift grows on

In 1988, a 90-year-old alumna and former faculty member gave $648,000 to UC Davis to establish an endowment that would fund plant research fellowships in perpetuity. Still driving discovery today, her gift demonstrates the power of an endowment to benefit the world for generations.

‘Untamed’ Author Glennon Doyle to Speak at UC Davis

Glennon Doyle, activist and bestselling author of Untamed and other works, is coming to the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at the University of California, Davis, headlining a public symposium on women, philanthropy and leadership, 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Tickets are on sale now.

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VIDEO: Immigration and Refugees: A Closer Look

The Women & Philanthropy Speaker Series eighth event, Immigration and Refugees: A Closer Look with Raquel E. Aldana, Martin Luther King Jr. professor of law facilitated by LeShelle May on September 14, 2022.

VIDEO: Untangling DEI: Starts with the 4 A’s

The Women & Philanthropy Speaker Series seventh event, Untangling DEI: Starts with the 4 A’s with Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Renetta Garrison Tull, Ph.D., facilitated by LeShelle May on June 7, 2022.

Getting Unstuck [VIDEO]

The Women & Philanthropy Speaker Series’ sixth event, Getting Unstuck: The Positive Side of Negative Thinking with Dr. Alison Ledgerwood, facilitated by LeShelle May on March 3, 2022.

Leadership in Higher Education: Flexibility is Key (VIDEO)

UC Davis Provost Mary Croughan joined LeShelle May for a conversation on the challenges and lessons learned while helping lead the university through the pandemic, and what changes are here to stay. The Provost also shared how her experience as a leader in academia and her training in epidemiology has helped her guide UC Davis during her first year as Provost.

Nutrition: Separating Fact From Fiction (VIDEO)

The Women & Philanthropy Speaker Series' third event, Nutrition: Separating Fact From Fiction with Dr. Debbie Fetter, facilitated by LeShelle May on May 12, 2021. Debbie shared her passion for nutrition, food, culture and who fed her interest for teaching nutrition in higher education. She also shared her philosophy of nutrition, pointing out that there is no one “right” way.

Art as Influence: Why It Matters (VIDEO)

The Women & Philanthropy Speaker Series' second event, Art as Influence: Why It Matters with Rachel Teagle, facilitated by LeShelle May on February 23, 2021.

Rachel shared personal stories from her career in the arts, what drew her to the role as Founding Director of the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum, the vital role art plays in our lives and the ways current events influence artists and museums.

View the full video below:

Alumni couple establish endowed chair, UC Davis’ 1st in African American Studies

Alumni and longtime university supporters Lois and Darryl Goss are creating a presidential chair in African American and African Studies at the University of California, Davis, to provide sustained funding for teaching, research and outreach about the history and culture of communities of African descent around the world.